U.S. patent number 8,714,139 [Application Number 13/140,077] was granted by the patent office on 2014-05-06 for dual-phase spring assembly for use with fuel injector system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Glenn G. Heavens, Jason D. Holt, James D. Jones, Robert R. Schaser, Jeremy R. D. Tuttle. Invention is credited to Glenn G. Heavens, Jason D. Holt, James D. Jones, Robert R. Schaser, Jeremy R. D. Tuttle.
United States Patent |
8,714,139 |
Holt , et al. |
May 6, 2014 |
Dual-phase spring assembly for use with fuel injector system
Abstract
A dual-phase spring assembly configured for use with a fuel
injector system includes a metal main body and a rubber ring. The
main body includes a base integrally connected to a circumferential
wall having a radially-canted lip. The base defines a central
opening. The radially-canted lip angles away from a center of the
main body. The rubber ring secures over the base and to an internal
surface of the circumferential wall. The rubber ring covers a ledge
of the base, while the radially-canted lip is exposed. The rubber
ring is configured to directly abut at least a first portion of the
fuel injector system, and the radially-canted lip is configured to
directly abut a second portion of the fuel injector system.
Inventors: |
Holt; Jason D. (St. Charles,
IL), Heavens; Glenn G. (Cheshire, CT), Jones; James
D. (Barrington, IL), Schaser; Robert R. (Hampshire,
IL), Tuttle; Jeremy R. D. (Dearborn, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Holt; Jason D.
Heavens; Glenn G.
Jones; James D.
Schaser; Robert R.
Tuttle; Jeremy R. D. |
St. Charles
Cheshire
Barrington
Hampshire
Dearborn |
IL
CT
IL
IL
MI |
US
US
US
US
US |
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|
Assignee: |
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(Glenview, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
42340042 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/140,077 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2009 |
PCT
Filed: |
December 10, 2009 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/US2009/067451 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
June 16, 2011 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2010/082991 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
July 22, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110247591 A1 |
Oct 13, 2011 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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61145346 |
Jan 16, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
123/470; 277/591;
267/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M
61/14 (20130101); F02M 61/167 (20130101); F16F
3/12 (20130101); F16J 15/32 (20130101); F02M
2200/9015 (20130101); F02M 2200/306 (20130101); F02M
2200/858 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F02M
61/14 (20060101); F16F 3/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;123/470
;277/377,379,380,382,383,384,386,394,395,399,591 ;267/152 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
ISR for PCT/US2009/067451 dated Feb. 4, 2010. cited by applicant
.
Supplemental European Search Report for EP 09 83 8559 dated Feb.
20, 2013. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Moulis; Thomas
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Croll; Mark W. Donovan; Paul F.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A dual-phase spring assembly configured for use with a fuel
injector system, the assembly comprising: a metal main body
comprising a base integrally connected to a circumferential wall
having a radially-canted lip, said base defining a central opening,
wherein said radially canted lip angles away from a center of said
main body; and a rubber ring secured over said base and to an
internal surface of said circumferential wall, said rubber ring
covering a ledge of said base, said radially-canted lip being
exposed, wherein said rubber ring is configured to directly abut at
least a first portion of the fuel injector system, and wherein said
radially-canted lip is configured to directly abut a second portion
of the fuel injector system.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said radially-canted lip and
said rubber ring are configured to cooperate to securely retain the
fuel injector system in an aligned position with respect to a
cylinder head of an internal combustion engine.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner edge of said rubber
ring extends past an inner edge of said base towards said central
opening.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said radially-canted lip is
angled to conform to a portion of the fuel injector system.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said rubber ring is bonded to
said base.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said circumferential wall and
said base define an internal cavity, wherein said rubber ring is
contained within said internal cavity.
7. An internal combustion engine system, comprising: a cylinder
head comprising a fuel injector bore having a main chamber in
communication with a tapered chamber; a fuel injector comprising a
main injector body and a tip axially extending from said main
injector body, at least a portion of said main injector body being
positioned within said main chamber, and at least a portion of said
tip being positioned within said tapered chamber; and a dual-phase
spring assembly aligning said fuel injector within said cylinder
head, said dual-phase spring assembly comprising: a metal main body
comprising a base integrally connected to a circumferential wall
having a radially-canted lip, said base defining a central opening,
wherein said radially canted lip angles away from a center of said
main body; and a rubber ring secured over said base and to an
internal surface of said circumferential wall, said rubber ring
covering a ledge of said base, said radially-canted lip being
exposed, wherein said rubber ring directly abuts at least a first
portion of said main injector body, and wherein said
radially-canted lip directly abuts a second portion of said main
injector body.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein a lower portion of said base
abuts a cylinder ledge proximate a location where said main chamber
transitions to said tapered chamber.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein said rubber ring abuts a lower
horizontal base portion of said main body and a vertical member of
said main body.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein said radially-canted lip and
said rubber ring cooperate to securely retain said fuel injector in
an aligned position with respect to said cylinder head.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein an inner edge of said rubber
ring extends past an inner edge of said base towards said central
opening.
12. The system of claim 7, wherein said radially-canted lip is
angled to conform to a portion of the fuel injector.
13. The system of claim 7, wherein said rubber ring is bonded to
said base.
14. The system of claim 7, wherein said circumferential wall and
said base define an internal cavity, wherein said rubber ring is
contained within said internal cavity.
15. A dual-phase spring assembly configured for use with a fuel
injector system, the assembly comprising: a main body comprising a
base integrally connected to a circumferential wall having a
radially-canted lip that angles away from a center of said main
body, said base defining a central opening; and a rubber ring
secured over a ledge of said base, said radially-canted lip being
exposed, wherein said rubber ring is configured to directly abut at
least a first portion of the fuel injector system, and wherein said
radially-canted lip is configured to directly abut a second portion
of the fuel injector system.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said main body is formed of a
first material, and said ring is formed of a second material,
wherein said first material differs from said second material.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said first material comprises
metal, and said second material comprises rubber.
18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said radially-canted lip and
said rubber ring are configured to cooperate to securely retain the
fuel injector system in an aligned position with respect to a
cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, wherein an inner
edge of said rubber ring extends past an inner edge of said base
towards said central opening, and wherein said radially-canted lip
is angled to conform to a portion of the fuel injector system.
19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said rubber ring is bonded to
said base.
20. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said circumferential wall and
said base define an internal cavity, wherein said rubber ring is
contained within said internal cavity.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is national phase of PCT/US2009/067451 filed Dec.
10, 2009 and relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/145,346 entitled "Dual Phase
Spring For Use With Fuel Injector," filed Jan. 26, 2009, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a fuel
injector system for an internal combustion engine, and more
particularly, to a fuel injector system including a dual-phase
spring assembly.
BACKGROUND
Conventional fuel injector isolating members are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,293,550, entitled "Fuel Injector Isolation Seat," and
United States Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0113828,
entitled "Fuel Injector Isolating and Sealing Member."
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a conventional fuel injector
system 10 within a cylinder head 12 of an internal combustion
engine. The cylinder head 12 includes a stepped injector bore 14
that receives at least a portion of the fuel injector system 10.
The fuel injector system 10 includes a main body 16 and a tip 18
extending axially from the main body 16.
The injector bore 14 includes a main chamber 20 into which the main
body 16 of the fuel injector system 10 is positioned. The injector
bore 14 also includes a tapered chamber 22 into which the tip 18
passes.
In operation, the fuel injector system 10 delivers a predetermined
amount of fuel directly to a combustion chamber 24. An annular
combustion seal 26 is secured around a shaft of the tip 18. The
combustion seal 26 sealingly engages a portion of the cylinder head
proximate an end of the tapered chamber 22 and the tip 18, thereby
preventing gases within the combustion chamber 24 from passing
upwardly into the tapered chamber 22.
An annular alignment ring 28 is seated on an internal ledge 30 of
the cylinder head 12 proximate the junction of the main chamber 20
and the tapered chamber 22. The alignment ring 28 is typically a
metal ring that provides a hard contact point between the cylinder
head 12 and the main body 16 of the fuel injector system 14.
Although, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,550, an
elastomeric ring member and a cupped spring washer may be used
instead of the isolation ring 28 shown in FIG. 1.
In general, however, the alignment ring provides the same spring
rate during the entire range of engine operation. Moreover, a
separate component is typically used to ensure that an isolation
ring secures between the fuel injector system to the isolation
ring.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a dual-phase
spring assembly configured for use with a fuel injector system. The
assembly may include a metal main body and a rubber ring.
The main body includes a base integrally connected to a
circumferential wall having a radially-canted lip. The base defines
a central opening. The radially canted lip angles away from a
center of the main body.
The rubber ring secures over the base and to an internal surface of
the circumferential wall. The rubber ring may be bonded to the base
and covers a ledge of the base. The radially-canted lip is exposed.
That is, the radially-canted lip is not covered by the rubber ring.
The rubber ring is configured to directly abut at least a first
portion of the fuel injector system, and the radially-canted lip is
configured to directly abut a second portion of the fuel injector
system.
The radially-canted lip and the rubber ring are configured to
cooperate to securely retain the fuel injector system in an aligned
position with respect to a cylinder head of an internal combustion
engine. The radially-canted lip is angled to conform to a portion
of the fuel injector system.
An inner edge of the rubber ring may extend past an inner edge of
the base towards the central opening.
The circumferential wall and the base define an internal cavity.
The rubber ring is contained within the internal cavity.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an internal
combustion engine system that includes a cylinder head, a fuel
injector and a dual-phase spring assembly. The cylinder head may
include a fuel injector bore having a main chamber in communication
with a tapered chamber.
The fuel injector may include a main injector body and a tip
axially extending from the main injector body. At least a portion
of the main injector body is positioned within the main chamber. At
least a portion of the tip is positioned within the tapered
chamber.
The dual-phase spring assembly aligns the fuel injector within the
cylinder head. The assembly includes a metal main body comprising a
base integrally connected to a circumferential wall having a
radially-canted lip. The base defines a central opening. The
radially canted lip angles away from a center of the main body.
A rubber ring secures over the base and to an internal surface of
the circumferential wall. The rubber ring covers a ledge of the
base, whereas the radially-canted lip is exposed such that the
rubber ring does not touch it. The rubber ring directly abuts at
least a first portion of the main injector body. The
radially-canted lip directly abuts a second portion of the main
injector body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a conventional fuel injector
system within a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine.
FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric top view of a dual-phase spring
assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral view of a dual-phase spring assembly,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of a
dual-phase spring assembly, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified front view of a fuel injector
system within a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a graph showing improved frequency response of
the dual-phase spring assembly according to an embodiment of the
present invention used with respect to a fuel injector system, as
compared to a conventional isolation ring.
FIG. 7 illustrates a graph showing a damping effect of a dual phase
spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention
used with respect to a fuel injector system over time, as compared
to a conventional isolation ring.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it
is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction and the arrangement of
the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
items and equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate isometric top and lateral views,
respectively, of a dual-phase spring assembly 40, according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 40 generally
includes a drawn metal main body bonded to an internal rubber
member.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly 40 includes a drawn metal
spring member that may be circular in axial cross-section. The
assembly 40 includes a planar base 42 defining a central circular
opening 44. A circumferential wall 46 is integrally formed with and
extends upwardly from outer edges (i.e., an outer diameter) of the
base 42.
An upper circumferential lip 48 of the wall 46 is angled radially
away from a center x of the assembly 40. As described with respect
to FIG. 5, the angled lip 48 is configured to assist in aligning
the assembly 40 with respect to a fuel injector system. Moreover,
the angled lip 48 also provides a stiff spring rate as it abuts the
fuel injector system.
A molded rubber ring 50 is bonded to a ledge 52 (shown in FIG. 4)
defined by an upper surface of the base 42. The molded rubber ring
50 may be any type of rubber material. With respect to the bonding
process, a pre-treatment and adhesive are applied to the ledge 52
and an internal surface of the wall 46. Once the molded rubber ring
50 is molded to the metal surfaces, the assembly 40 is cured,
thereby securely bonding the rubber ring 50 to the metal,
preventing the rubber from peeling away from the metal.
FIG. 4 illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of the
dual-phase spring assembly 40. As shown, the molded rubber ring 50
is securely bonded to internal surfaces of the ledge 52 of the
upstanding wall 46 below the angled lip 48. Alternatively, the
rubber ring 50 may be bonded to more or less portions of the ledge
52 and wall 46 than shown in FIG. 4. The rubber ring 50 is within
the assembly 40, as opposed to below or over the assembly 40.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lip 48 angles radially away from a central
axis of the assembly 40. That is, the lip 48 is canted away from
the center of the assembly 40. Further, an internal edge of the
rubber ring 50 extends into an internal chamber 54 past edges of
the internal edge of the base 52, as shown in FIG. 5. In contrast
to the metal lip 48, which provides a stiff spring rate, the rubber
ring 50 dampens vibrations and provides a light spring rate.
FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified front view of a fuel injector
system 60 within a cylinder head 62 of an internal combustion
engine, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
fuel injector system 60 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, except,
instead of a metal isolation ring, the dual-phase spring assembly
40 is used.
The assembly 40 is positioned within main chamber 66 of the
cylinder head 62 such that the metal base 42 seats on a ledge 68
above the tapered chamber 70 of the bore. As shown in FIG. 5, the
rubber ring 50 extends past the edge of the base 42. As such, edges
defining an internal opening of the rubber ring 50 abut directly
into the main body 72 of the fuel injector system. Further, upper
surfaces of the rubber ring 50 are sandwiched between the ledge 52
of the base 42 and horizontal base surfaces 76 of the main body 72
of the fuel injector system 60, thereby cradling the fuel injector
system 60. The rubber ring 50 may secure the main body 72 through
an interference fit or may alternatively be bonded to the main body
72.
As also shown in FIG. 5, the upper lip 48 is angled to conform to
receive and securely retain a lower angled portion 78 of the main
body 72. The metal upper lip 48 abuts directly into the main body
72 with no rubber therebetween.
The conformity of the upper lip 48 to the angled portion of the
main body 72, in conjunction with the rubber ring 50 cradling the
main body 72, as described above, secures the fuel injector system
60 in an upright position within the cylinder head 62. Because the
assembly 40 contacts the fuel injector system 60 at metal (lip 48)
and rubber (rubber ring 50) interfaces, the assembly 40 provides a
dual-phase spring effect. The angle of the lip 48 ensures that the
fuel injector system 60 remains properly aligned. The angled lip 48
and the rubber ring 50 cooperate to form a cup-like structure (with
a central opening) that receives and retains a lower portion of the
main body 72 of the fuel injector system 60.
The height datum of the fuel injector system 60 is controlled by
the assembly 60. The height datum refers to the assembly 40 setting
the injector tip location in the cylinder head 62. The height
changes by extremely small amounts as the locating conditions
change. However, as noted, the lip 48 maintains the fuel injector
system 60 in proper alignment, due to its cooperating receiving
angle with respect to the angled portion 78 of the main body 72.
Accordingly, the height datum is controlled.
With respect to the dual-phase nature of the assembly 40, the first
phase of the assembly 10 includes the rubber ring 50, which
provides isolation and damping at low loads (e.g., engine idle,
typically under 1000 N). The second phase of the assembly 10 is the
angled lip 48 of the drawn metal, which provides durability and
limits system movement at high loads (e.g., a wide open throttle
condition when gasoline pressure increases greatly, typically up to
3500 N).
The damping effect of the rubber ring 50 prevents the fuel injector
system 60 from resonating and generating airborne and structure
borne noise. Structure borne noise is generally a vibration
transferring from one component to another. Airborne noise is the
audible noise a person hears from a ringing or vibrating object.
Typically, airborne noise is generated from the injector system 60
itself, while structure borne noise is that transferred from the
injector system 60 to the cylinder head 62. The rubber ring 50
dampens both types of nose.
In contrast to conventional isolation rings, embodiments of the
present invention provide a dual-phase spring assembly that
provides two distinctly different spring rates to provide isolation
at low loads and limited movement at high loads. Embodiments of the
present invention also serve to set the height datum for locating
the injector tip in the combustion chamber. The bonded rubber ring
50 also provides damping effects to the injector system to limit
vibration transfer from the injector system to the cylinder head.
The damping effect of the rubber ring 50 also prevents the injector
body from resonating and generating airborne and structure borne
noise.
FIG. 6 illustrates a graph showing improved frequency response of
the dual-phase spring assembly according to an embodiment of the
present invention used with respect to a fuel injector system, as
compared to a conventional isolation ring. FIG. 7 illustrates a
graph showing a damping effect of a dual phase spring assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention used with
respect to a fuel injector system over time, as compared to a
conventional isolation ring. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it has been
found that embodiments of the present invention outperform the
conventional isolation ring shown and described in FIG. 1.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic system
for alignment. The angle of the lip 48 is configured to keep the
injector system vertical at all times in order to limit side
loading on the combustion chamber injector seal. Accordingly,
durability and performance of the seal are improved.
Moreover, the assembly 40 is captured to the injector body on its
own, thereby eliminating the extra pieces that are typically used
with respect to conventional systems.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom,
lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may
used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is
understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the
orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be
inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion
is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical,
and the like.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope
of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *